Orange City councillor Jason Hamling said businesses needed support from people in the Central West.

"I'm sure the restaurants and wineries would be crying out for people to come out," he said.

Business has been tough for many in the region since the Greater Sydney COVID-19 lockdown, which has now been going for six weeks, stopped tourists coming to the area.

"Everyone should be helping each other out," he said.

Cr Hamling also urged Orange residents to go wider afield to tourist attractions including the Dubbo Zoo and the Parkes telescope site.

"We've got a lot of attractions out there," he said.

Cr Hamling said that while people needed to adhere to COVID rules including mask-wearing it was a good time to visit restaurants, wineries and other attractions as there were plenty of availability.

"There is a lot of spare accommodation out there," he said. "Obviously it being a very quiet time at the moment there's a lot of businesses struggling so I think we should be encouraging our residents, while it is quiet, to go out," he said.

"It is a really good time to get out and see what's in our own backyard."

Strawhouse Wines owner Justin Byrne said visitor numbers to wineries had virtually dried up.

"I think, probably in our experience, and I'm sure we're not Robinson Crusoe on this, that business has fallen off a cliff," Mr Byrne said.

He said last weekend the winery had only one couple visit them on the Sunday and only a few on the Saturday.

"It's nothing like what used to happen," he said.

"We're quite small but our experience would be replicated [on a different scale] at the bigger wineries."

Mr Byrne urged people to book ahead and come out for tasting experiences in the region.

"It's a good opportunity to have a look.

"It's much freer now than it was."

Orange mayor Cr Reg Kidd told last week's council meeting they would look at ways to stimulate local spending in Orange to help businesses.

The Orange Business Chamber has launched a social media campaign, We Want You Orange, to encourage customers to spend at local businesses.

Chamber president Jack Evans said: "We understand a lot of businesses, particularly in the retail and hospitality industry, have struggled, not only during the Central West lockdown but also in the prior two or three weeks since the Greater Sydney lockdown began".

The campaign features business owners and their staff displaying the We Want You Orange message via video. Sharing the hashtag #wewantyouorange along with a photo of a local purchase can win people a $100 Shop Orange gift card.

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